Sonia Delaunay "Living Art"

A richly crafted tribute to avant-garde artist and designer Sonia Delaunay, whose groundbreaking approach is reflected in the interdisciplinary nature of the volumes and their inspired design.
Described as the most significant contribution to Sonia Delaunay scholarship in a decade, this catalogue sets a new standard for the study of this pioneering avant-garde artist, designer, and entrepreneur (1885–1979). Eschewing traditional chronological structures to better showcase the groundbreaking investigations that unify the artist’s timeless work across media, this publication demonstrates Delaunay’s innate versatility and willingness to create without material limitations using her unique language of light and color. Textiles, fashion, interiors, book art, and more are highlighted in 26 chapters by leading international scholars to provide fresh insight into Delaunay’s self-promotion strategies, entrepreneurial initiatives, legacy-building efforts, and wide-ranging network of collaborators. Including previously under-researched material such as film, mosaics, tapestries, and interior design, these in-depth analyses offer a comprehensive perspective on Delaunay’s lifelong endeavor to unite art with life by harnessing the energy of technological advancement and the beauty of craftsmanship. Finally, an appendix provides a uniquely personal note: an afterword by Patrick Raynaud, the last living member of Delaunay’s workshop, is a moving first-hand account of the artist’s working practices towards the end of her life. The design, by award-winning bookmaker Irma Boom, adopts Sonia Delaunay’s own approach to layout and typography, creating a book that bridges past and present to become a work of art in its own right.